Taylor Lautner, 23, is back in thriller Tracers, which is packed with parkour (that fancy running, leaping and jumping). We chatted about why he loves British girls (YAY)…

There’s some pretty impressive jumping around rooftop scenes in Tracers. Did you do your own stunts?

I did, actually! But I had a terrific parkour expert talking me through how to do each move. It was a blast being able to do all those crazy things and I loved learning parkour.

It kind of felt as if I’d been training for it my whole life, with all the martial arts I did when I was a kid [Taylor had a black belt in karate by age eight]. I’m in the best shape of my life after this film.

On the set of Tracers (Image: Splash)

You’re an honorary Brit after starring in BBC comedy Cuckoo. Do you enjoy the British sense of humour?

It’s amazing and so different from US humour. At first I was extremely intimidated because all the British cast were so funny – I felt like this American intruder just trying to keep up with them and I was terrified out of my mind!

And what about British girls (hint, hint)...

I wish I’d been able to have a bit more time off to meet some when I was there! British girls are really funny, so I definitely think we’d get along.

I’ve completely fallen in love with the UK, and I’d love to spend a couple of months a year there. London might even be my favourite city in the entire world.

Showing off those abs as Jacob Black in Twilight

So. On to the important stuff. Namely, your abs. Do you feel lots of pressure to look good?

Bulking up for the Twilight films was one of the hardest things I’ve done… I had to give myself a lot of pep talks as there was just so much gym time.

But the worst part was the food. Every day I had to consume 4,500 calories of not-very-fun food, plus three protein shakes that tasted like mud.

4,500 calories? That’s an average Saturday night. Ever thought of doing a role where you just eat loads of pizza and get fat?

[Laughs] I’d love that! It’s great to do roles that are different from what I’ve done before – though I don’t even want to think about how horrible it would be to get back in shape afterwards.